Mickey Guyton is no stranger to delivering emotionally resonant and powerful words, often referencing her personal experiences and social issues through music. While accepting Variety‘s Power of Women: Nashville award on Thursday morning, Guyton was the one in tears as she delivered an impassioned speech about Black women and minorities in music.
Taking the stage following an introduction from American rapper and singer Breland, Guyton appeared emotional, noting she wasn’t sure how to react when “receiving love like this.” The Texas native persisted through her cries, and went on to say, “This honor is not just for me. It is for every black woman who wakes up each day and chooses strength over resilience and silence, purpose over fear, community over competition.
More from Variety
Mickey Guyton on Bucking the Odds in Country: ‘Black Women Inspire Me – They’re Not Being Silent’
First-Ever Variety Power of Women: Nashville Event Presented by Lifetime Announces Honorees Kelsea Ballerini, Mickey Guyton, Reba McEntire, Lainey Wilson
At BMAC Event in L.A., Mickey Guyton, INK and Other Panelists Assess What Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy’ Moment Means for Black Female Country Artists
It is for our mothers, our sisters, our daughters, for those who came before us and for those still to come, Black women are the blueprint… We are visionaries, the culture shapers, the barrier breakers. We are not just resilient. We are raging despite the weight of generational burdens and systemic challenges. We continue to rise lead nurture and transform.”
Guyton was one of four honorees and cover stars for Variety’s inaugural Power of Women event in Nashville. Following Variety‘s Power of Women celebrations in Los Angeles and New York, each Nashville honoree highlighted a charity of their choosing, to which Variety made a donation as part of the event.
Guyton chose to uplift the Loveland Foundation, which focuses on bringing opportunity and healing to communities of color, especially to Black women and non-binary individuals.
“Empowerment is more than a word,” she said. “It is an act, and the Loveland Foundation embodies every meaning of the phrase…”
Best of Variety
Oscars Predictions 2026: ‘Sinners’ Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
What’s Coming to Netflix in May 2025
Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
